Not all of the world’s media attention has been focusing on the US just as host of the Olympics. US policy has also been the subject of harsh international criticism as the Clinton administration announced the first “exclusions” under the Cuban Liberty and Solidarity Act of 1996, more commonly referred to as the “Helms-Burton Act.” That act is intended to punish foreign companies doing business in Cuba. The act is a result of the US boycott of Cuba which followed the downing by Cuba of two civilian planes in international waters last February.
The Helms-Burton Act calls for the exclusion from the US of individuals who traffic in property in Cuba belonging to US nationals. Most of the property targeted under the Act was nationalized by the Castro regime.
The first company to be targeted under the new law is Sherritt International Corporation, a Canadian mining company. The principals of the company and their families are now barred from coming into the US since the company has a joint venture with a Cuban mining company. The mining company’s nickel mine was originally owned by a Louisiana company before Castro came into power. The company, with the support of many of the US’ closest ally governments, accused the US of damaging the international trade system.
Several governments, including the European Union, have warned the US that US citizens will be punished if the US punishes any of their citizens. The legality of Helms-Burton is also being called into question. Even officials in the Clinton Administration point out that they are not sure about the legality of the extra-territorial application of US law.
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